Fluorescent lighting fixtures



Oct. 22, 1957 E. F. GUTH, JR

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed June '23. 1954 INVENTOR, EDWIN F.GUTH, JR.

A TTOIZIVE'YS United StatesPatent Ufifice;

2,810,823 Patented Oct. 22, 1957 Ian- FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURESEdwin F. Guth, Jr., Ladue, Mo., assignor to The Edwin F. Guth Company,St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application June 23, 1954,Serial No. 438,672 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-5111) This invention relates tolighting fixtures, and more particularly, to light-difiusing fixturesfor fluorescent lamps.

In cove-lighting, as heretofore practiced, the lamp bulbs are containedin an upwardly-opening built-in trough, which runs about the wall of theroom, the bulbs thereby being hidden from view and the illuminationbeing indirect by reflection from the ceiling. This arrangement has notbeen entirely satisfactory, however, because of the expense inconstructing the coves and the difliculty in supplying adequateventilation. Also, portions of the wall below the fixture and portionsof the ceiling remote from the wall are often poorly illuminated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedcove-lighting system, and more specifically, to provide a cove-lightingfixture that is inexpensive to manufacture and install, easilymaintained, of low brightness, and of high efliciency from theviewpoints of lampoperating temperature and light utilization anddistribution. Also, the invention includes among its objects theprovision of a fixture of the character described whereby differentilluminating efiects may be achieved by selective operation of the bulbswithin the fixture.

Additionally, it is not uncommon to encounter lighting problems thatrequire direct illumination from a fixture mounted on a wall, as at thehead of a bed, in a fitting room or in a barber shop. Therefore, theinvention includes among its objects the provision of a fixture havingthe advantages above mentioned, but which may also be utilized where ashielded direct type of illumination is desired.

Finally, it may be noted that there are instances where conventionalceiling fixtures are not entirely satisfactory. An indirect orsemi-indirect fixture of the type having a reflector (opaque ortranslucent) presents maintenance and cooling problems, and frequentlythe distribution of light is not as wide or as uniform as might bedesired. On the other hand, the direct type of fixture provides an evenmore concentrated source of illumination, although the brightness may besomewhat reduced by equipping the fixture with a diffuser. Accordingly,it is also an object of this invention to provide an indirect orsemiindirect ceiling fixture, which may be made from units having theadvantages previously set forth.

Briefly, these objectives are achieved in a single, multipurposefixture. When used for cove lighting, the fixture comprises an elongatehousing having a generally vertical back and a bottom which is in partformed by a difiusing.

louver, preferably of the open egg-crate type. The top of the fixture isformed by a second relatively larger or primary louver (preferably ofthe open egg-crate type), which is inclined to extend adjacent and overthe bottom louver. Sockets for a pair of fluorescent tubes are mountedin the housing at the ends thereof, the arrangement being such that afirst tube is supported within the upper portion of the housing and asecond tube is supported in the forward lower portion of the housingover angles in the manner of a channel section.

2 the bottom louver and beneath the inclined louver. The sockets may besupported on angle brackets, and a refiector of angle section extendstherebetween, so that one wall of the reflector lies beneath the firsttube and another wall thereof lies behind the second lamp.

A direct shielded type of illumination is achieved by inverting thefixture so that the inclined primary louver faces downwardly andoutwardly, whereas the secondary louver faces upwardly. A ceilingfixture is readily made by assembling two such units in back-to-backrelationship, thereby to provide a pair of inclined louvers facingupwardly and outwardly toward the ceiling.

Other features of the invention will be in part apparent from and inpart pointed out in the following detail description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 is an oblique detail view of a fluorescent cove lighting fixtureembodying the invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the fixture with the primary louver in partbroken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an oblique view of the fixture illustrating how it is used toprovide shielded direct illumination; and

Fig. 5 is an oblique view showing how two units may be arranged inback-to-back relationship as a ceiling fixture.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a fixture having a pair offluorescent lighting tubes 1 and 3. The tubes are contained in anelongate housing having a back 5, a bottom 7 and a relatively narrowertop 9. The top and bottom are in part formed from a sheet metal memberthe parts 7 and 9 projecting from the back 5 at right Panels 11 aresecured in telescoping relationship over the ends of this channelsection, and the end panels 11 support an elongate hollow member 13 inoutwardly spaced relationship from the bottom element 7. This member 13is shaped as a pocket with a bottom wall 15 which is in coplanarrelationship with the bottom 7. A front wall 17 extends upwardly at aforty-five degree angle and a top-forming wall 19 is bent back at rightangles to the front 17 to lie at a forty-five degree angle with respectto the bottom of the housing. The elongate member 13 is received withininturned flanges 21 at the front of the end panels. Similar flanges 23are inturned at the top rear portion of the end panels, and theseflanges 23 project forwardly beyond the top part 9 and'have lips 25,which are turned down into coplanar relationship with the top-formingwall 19 at the front of the fixture.

A lower opening is thereby defined between the members 7 and 15, and anupper opening is defined between the elements 9 and 19. These openingsextend the length of the fixture, and are adapted to receive louvers 27and 29, respectively. 7

The louvers are of the open egg-crate type, preferably being formed oftranslucent plastic material to have small open interstices. This typeof louver is described in the copending application Serial No. 261,780,filed December 15, 1951, by Edwin F. Guth, now Patent No. 2,745,001granted May 8, 1956. More particularly, the louvers have a thickness ofabout three-eighths inch, the interstices measuring three-eighths inchto the side, and the wall thickness being approximately one-sixteenthinch. The fixture may measure approximately six inches in height andwidth, its length being determined by the size of fluorescent tube to beutilized.

The lower louver 27 has tapering side portions 31, which seat over themembers 7 and 15. Resilient clips 33 and 35 secure the lower louveragainst displacement a resilient clip 35 1's in V ballast '(not shown).devices 55 aresecured to 61 extending beneath be withdrawn for cleaningor other maintenance operations. The upper louver '29 is secured againstinward displacement at its lower edge by the clip 35 and also by,

tabs 37 afiixed to the end walls of the housing. The V the form of achannel 'section, the base portion being 'secured at 39. to the frontWal1'17 of the housing, and the leg portionsdl and 43, respectively,overlying the respective margins 31 and 45 of the louvers 27 and 29. Thetabs 37 are located near the top of the fixtureand have legs 47, whichextend inwardly as supports for the upper portion of the louver '29. r

It willbe observedthat the louver 29 does not extend entirely to the top9 of the housing, butit does serveto shield the fluorescent lamp 1,which is mounted in the upper portion of the housing. The other lamp} ismountedin the lower portion of the ;housing, generally 7 over the lowersecondary louver 27 and behind the lower portion of the larger primarylouver 29. Bridging brackets 49 .aresecuredr at the ends'of the housingby flanges 51, the brackets 49 forming a chamber of rectangular cross'section, which may contain 'the lamp The lamp sockets 53 and starter thebrackets, and a reflector 57 extends between the brackets.

form of a, right angular section, with a lower Wall 59 extending behindthe lower lamp 3 and an upper wall the upper lamp 1; ,Also,'-a flangethe back behind the upperlamp,

63 may be turned up at The reflector is releasably seas illustrated inFig. 3.

, cured at its. ends to the brackets 49, by means of thumb so that itcan readily be taken otf t hrough the nuts 65,

the louver 29 is removed.

top opening left when In cove lighting, are securedinend-to-endirelationship,against the wall near the ceiling of a room.illumination is of the semiindirect type in that a portion (say, twentypercent) of the light is downward through the secondary louver 27, 7whereas a larger portion (eighty percent) is directed upwardly andoutwardly. to the ceiling of the room; This construction oliers anadditional advantage when the lamps 1 and 3 are connectediii-independent circuits so that they can be operated separately. Su'choperation is particularly useful in 'auditoriums and the-like. Whenthe upper :lampl disconnected, the level or intensity of theillumination is reduced, and when :only the upper The reflector is inthe:

several fixtures of the typedescribed stood that efiicient operation offluorescent lamps is a critical function of their temperature, hence thenecessity for proper ventilation. The accumulation of dust is always aproblem with fixtures, and this is particularly so with indirectfixtures'of the type using solid dustcollecting reflectors or difiusors.V

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that those skilled in theart will understand the structure, function and mode of operation of theinvention herein disclosed, and appreciate the advantages thereof.Although several embodiments have been disclosed in detail, it is whounderstood that the invention is not limited thereto, but the drawingsand description thereof'are to be understood as being merelyillustrative. For example, the'relative areas 'of the primary andsecondary fixtures may be ch anged,

and the louver may be entirely closed at its top by extension of the topwall 9 or the louver 29. It isreali zed that many, modifications andvariations will present themselves to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from' the spirit of this invention or the scope thereof as setforth in the appended claims,

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired tobesecured by'Letters Patent is;

l, A lightingfixture' comprising an elongate housing, said housinghaving a generally vertical closed back, a generally horizontal bottomtermed at least in part, by

an open egg-crate louver, a .sloping';t,op portion fonned at least inpart by an open egg-erate-louver and inclined from the front ofthefixture toward said back wall, and

means for mounting L -elongate fluorescent bulbfiin the a space betweenthe two louvers, said space otherwise being unobstructed. I r V V V r 2.A lighting fixturejasset forth in claim 1, including means forsupporting :apailfzof elongate fluorescent-bulbs,

' one of said, bulbs. beingdisposed in the upper back portion .of'thehousingand the-other bulhbeing disposed in the lower front portion ofthe housing, said .bottom.egg-

cratelouyer being disposed beneath said second bulb;and 7 said upper:eggac-rate louver extending 'oyergboth of the bulbsv .3. A lightingfixture'as set forthiin claim 2, further 7 including reflector ,Ine'ansextending beneath said first bulb lampjl is operated; .the'levelandcharacterofillumination are changed substantially. v

The fixture may also be employedas :aqshielded edirect wall-mountedlight, as ina fitting IOGIIL, barber shop, .or

.over a hospital bed. "In that :eventgit :-is secured, at its back-'5against a'wall, but in inverted vrelationship, as

indicated in Fig. 4, so that most of the illumination is directeddownwardlyfor high-intensity use, although 1 "some por'tion is directedupwardly for general lighting louverde- J r Referring now t F"g. 5, it11 be apparent that a and in back .of said second bulb. s t

. 4. A cove lighting luminairefor the wall of a room, v

comprisingian elongate .housing having a closed aback lying against thewall, a generally horizontal bottom 7 which is closed in the regionadjacent the back andzothee wise constituted by an open egg-crate louverdisposed outwardly iiromthe. wall, .a second relatively largereg cratelouver inclined toward the back from adjacent the outer f-ron't {marginof said first louver, and an elongate fluorescent bulb mounted within.:the space between said louvers,-s'aid space otherwisebeingunobstructed.

I '5. A lighting installationas set forthin claim 4, wherein the fixture:has two bulbs, one being disposed above the bottom louver in .the lowerportionwof "the housing and the other bulb being disposed inithe'llpperback portion of the housing, and reflector rn eans extending backof said-first bulband beneath'saidsecond bulb.

pair "of units may be mounted back-to-ba'ck' to provide an o r 7improved ceiling fixture of the semi-indirect type. -As

*such, the fixture otters-certain advantages over existing systems whereproblems are presented in achieving wide distribution er the light,adequate ventilation of fthe lamps, lo'w brightness and"varied'ilig'h'ting efiecfs. As indicated previously, operation of lamp1"results-in indirect lighting, whereas operation "of lamp #3 providesserni-indi'rect lighting =Of reduced intensity, and operation ofboth'lanips provides semii ndirect'lighting bf increased intensity.

' iThe:openJegg-cratelouvers not-,onlyatfordlowrbrightness, but alsoinsure adequate yentiIationiyof the lamps 7 V and provide for a cleaneroperation. It will be under- "6. A shielded direc't lurninaire :for thewall of a room, said luminaire comprising an elongate h'ousingha'ving agenerally vertical closed 'back lying against the wall, a; V 7

generally horizontal top'close'd in the region adjacent said back andotherwise] constituted 1 byian open egg crate louver disposed.ou'twardlyjfro'rn thelback, a secondre'la tively .larger.eggcrateglouver sloping downwardly toward the .back..'from adjacent theouter nan margin of said first '.louver,.and ta jfiuoreseentjbulbmounted in the space between saidlouvets, said space otherwise beingrelatively unobstructed. i V} V. i 1 i 7 -A shieldedidirectvluminaire'as 'set' jforjth inclaim 6, wherein saidhofusing encloses 1W0bulbs, Qnepf which is mounted beneath the ,i pper'louger ,in'thetrqntupper portiontof the housing and the other or which isrnounted abovesaid second louver in the lower back portion of the housing.

8. A ceiling luminaire comprising an elongate housing, said housinghaving a bottom formed by a pair of egg-crate louvers, said bottomlouvers being spaced from one another and the space therebetween beingclosed and opaque, a second pair of relatively larger egg-crate louversoverlying said first pair of louvers, each of said second louvers beinginclined upwardly toward the center of the fixture from adjacent theouter margins of respective lower louvers, and at least two fluorescentbulbs mounted in the outer portions of the fixture to extendlongitudinally over the lower louvers and beneath the upper louvers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,105,447 Arenberg Jan. 11, 1938 2,274,612 Johnston Feb. 24, 19422,337,685 Schepmoes Dec. 28, 1943 2,514,049 Graham July 4, 19502,523,581 Margolis Sept. 26, 1950 2,544,708 Margolis Mar. 13, 1951 OTHERREFERENCES Hospital Lighting Data Book, Catalog No. 41, of The Edwin F.Guth Co., St. Louis 3, M0. (1943) (page 17).

